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Welcome to Centers and Squares

As a Cambridge real estate agent, the city squares of Cambridge, Somerville and Medford and the town centers of Arlington, Watertown and Belmont, Massachusetts are my home turf. And as a lifelong New Englander who’s lived within twenty miles of Boston most of my life, I can introduce you to other nearby towns as we search for your new home. If you’re planning to sell your home in Cambridge, MA or nearby you’ll find plenty of info about the home selling process here too. Questions? Send me an email or call me at 617-504-1737.

8 . . . 14 . . . 20 . . .25 . . . 40 …. Are these open house visitor counts? Open houses are very busy nowadays. Even last Sunday when the streets and sidewalks still weren’t clear and the T wasn’t running open houses were packed.

No – those aren’t open house sign-ins. Those are multiple bid counts for properties that have recently been on the market in Cambridge.

When properties come on the market they are typically snapped up immediately. Buyers are paying over market to secure properties. A good number of them are able to pay with cash. Sellers are able to ask for and get the terms they want.

Even with the Cambridge real estate market as intense as it is getting the price right is still important. Over priced properties sit on the market while buyers line up to bid on others. Pricing right will almost always get you a higher sales price especially in a real estate market like Cambridge is experiencing right now.

Getting the best price for your property still depends on a good marketing strategy. Making sure people know of and get in to see your property is critical. Selling to the first buyer for full price or even a bit more may feel great – but who knows how much money you left behind? My marketing strategy ensures that your property will be in front of buyers and agents – each of whom is working with multiple buyers – and positioned to get you the very best price and terms.

If your property failed to sell in the past there’s no better time than now to put it on the market. Properties that didn’t sell as recently as three months ago have come back on the market, sometimes at a higher price, and sold, often with multiple bids. If you were discouraged by the market over the last few years you can feel confident that you’ll likely have a much more positive experience selling in 2013.

If you’ve considered making a move before or sometime in the next few months or even the next few years, you’ll want to seriously consider selling now. It’s hard to imagine a better time to sell – lots of buyer and very little competition from other sellers. Both interest rates and the inventory of properties for sale are at historic lows. The numbers are on your side if you’re a seller.

If you’re considering selling and want to strategize and to get an idea of what’s possible in today’s real estate market I would be delighted to speak with you. I can be reached at 617-504-1737 or by email at [email protected]. Liz Bolton, ReMax Destiny, Cambridge.

Last weekend’s blizzard was fun – for a day or two. But getting around town is no easy feat this week. Luckily, the daytime temperatures have been above freezing since a whole lot of melting is needed before we can easily get around Cambridge again.

Getting Around Cambridge May Be a Challenge

Cities just aren’t designed to have this much snow. Cambridge sure isn’t. Driving is nervewracking with so many people walking in the narrow streets. Snow piles make intersections hazardous. Two-way streets are reduced to one lane. And parking? Forget about it. Parking will be a challenge until spring.

Somerville, as usual, is doing a fantastic job of snow removal. City workers are on the job around the clock with convoys of dumptrucks taking away the snow that bulldozers have cleared. The other night Ball Square was blocked off by the police for snow removal. I noticed today that there is NO snow left in the square. Now, that’s the way to do it.

This recently erected sign strikes despair in Cambridge drivers’ hearts. Expect delays – ok – what else is new? But for TWO YEARS? How depressing is that? The next screen announces work on Western Ave that will be tying up traffic for two years. Ugh. From bad to worse.

But enough griping. We New Englanders are a hardy lot. Spring will be here soon and a little – or a lot of – snow makes it all the sweeter.

Last week, as part of our weekly tour, ReMax Destiny agents headed over to NorthPoint Cambridge. Condos at NorthPoint have been selling like hotcakes so we were excited to get a presentation about the development and to tour a number of condos. Amy Clements, Sales Director at NorthPoint, and a representative from the development group spoke to us about what’s in the works.

NorthPoint Cambridge is a 45-acre parcel. A former railyard, the property will be transformed into a new Cambridge neighborhood featuring a 10-acre park at its center. It will be a mixed use community with residential space – both apartments and condos, office and lab space, retail establishments, and a public transportation stop once the Lechmere Green Line T stop is relocated to NorthPoint.

Development stalled at Northpoint Cambridge in 2007 when the original owners became embroiled in a court battle. The project is back on track after new investors, including former LA Laker Magic Johnson, took over in 2010. Condos at NorthPoint are now selling like hotcakes with more than 30 contracts signed in January 2013.

Plans for North Point include a total of twenty buildings. There will be three million square feet of residential space, 2700 residential units in total. The next phase of development at NorthPoint Cambridge will be a 20-story, 355 unit luxury apartment building. That building will include:

8000 sq. ft. of retail space

“Click cafe”

Basketball court

Outdoor lounge / bar for residents

A condo at NorthPoint in Cambridge

Today the condominiums at North Point are in two buildings, constructed in 2008. 1 Earhart (formerly called Sierra) and 2 Earhart Street (formerly called Tango) have over 300 units between them. The smaller building, One Earhart / Sierra, has 99 condos. Two Earhart / Tango has 230 units and includes a 12-story tower. Many of the condos are two-level loft style units.

When we toured the development last week 78% of the condos had sold and closed. 86% were sold or under agreement. Given the pace of sales those numbers have probably changed by now.

Residents at NorthPoint have easy access to the Green Line at Lechmere and to the Orange Line at the Bunker Hill stop. The EZRide bus service stops at North Point and continues to Kendall Square, MIT and North Station. Boston is a hop, skip and a jump away and the Charles River is just down the street.

Here are some of the condos for sale at NorthPoint Cambridge. There may be others available – to see all the options we need to visit the development. If you’d like more info or want to see condos at NorthPoint I would be happy to arrange for a presentation and tour. Amy Clements, the Sales Director at NorthPoint, explained that she is happy to work with other agents – so having an agent represent you will not be an issue and will not mean that you pay any more. Give me a call at 617-504-1737 or email me at [email protected] and we’ll explore NorthPoint together. Liz Bolton, ReMax Destiny

Are you having trouble finding a Cambridge condo to buy? No wonder – inventory is at record lows. Here’s how the numbers looked at this time of year over the last decade:

2003 . . . . . 151 condos listed for sale on February 5th

2004 . . . . . 127

2005 . . . . . 225

2006 . . . . . 321

2007 . . . . . 265

2008 . . . . . 287

2009 . . . . . 243

2010 . . . . . 174

2011 . . . . . 182

2012 . . . . . 92

2013 . . . . . 86** **Only 64 condos are actually available for sale

Ouch. There are 86 Cambridge condos listed in the MLS for sale right now. But actually only 64 are available for purchase. 22 are what we call “Red Active” – the condos have an accepted offer and are under agreement. The listing agents and sellers are continuing to market the condos but the agent view in the MLS shows the status in red indicating that the property is under agreement.

So there are only 64 condos for sale right now in Cambridge – less than half of what was for sale in every other year this past decade aside from 2012 when 92 condos were listed for sale on February 5th.

But the inventory is even tighter than that number suggests – particularly if you don’t want to live in a modern building in East Cambridge. 21 of the 64 condos listed for sale are at NorthPoint and 10 more are scattered among the other luxury buildings in East Cambridge – the Esplanade, Thomas Graves Landing, the Glass Factory, River Court, the Regatta and One First.

These are beautiful condos in the East Cambridge buildings but if that’s not the style or location you’re looking for there are just 33 condos currently available anywhere else in Cambridge. Seven of these are priced at more than $1,000,000.

So what’s a buyer to do?

You really need to have your ducks in a row and your team in place. If properties do come on the market in your price range make sure you see them so you can start to get an idea of what’s possible. You’ll want to get preapproved by a reputable lender so you’ll know what your price range is and so you’ll be ready when you do want to make an offer. Find an agent with whom you feel comfortable working. It’s more important than ever that you work with an excellent real estate agent. An experienced agent’s advice and help with strategy is critical in a market as competitive as this. Make sure you share all the details of your wish list – and its refinements over time – with your agent so that she can keep an eye and ear out for any new listings that might be a match. And try to be available to get out to see places as quickly as possible.

If you’re a seller this is an excellent time to put your property on the market.

Conventional wisdom may be that listing your home for sale in spring is optimal but it’s difficult to recall a better time than right now to sell a property. Buyers are out in force and you’ll have little competition. If your property is priced right – and pricing remains an important factor – and marketed well you may receive multiple offers and be able to select an offer with excellent price and terms. Now is not the time to sell your property to the neighbor knocking on your door or to buyer calling you on the phone because your house didn’t sell a few years ago. If one person wants your house it’s a good bet that if your house is put on the market there will be multiple interested buyers.

Whether you’re interested in buying or in selling I would be happy to discuss what’s possible in this market. Please give me a call at 617-504-1737 or email me at [email protected]. Liz Bolton, ReMax Destiny

Join the Library Card Challenge - Sign Up for a New Library Card in February

Several local libraries are running a library card challenge in February – Arlington, Belmont, Lexington and Somerville are competing to see which library can increase new library card sign-ups by the largest percentage.

There will be prizes for new library cardholders and one grand prize of an e-reader awarded. New cardholder bling will include buttons, bracelets, pencils, bookmarks and more.

Already have a library card? Bring a friend who signs up for a card and you’ll receive a prize.

Your new library card is your passport to more than three dozen local libraries since Arlington, Belmont, Lexington and Somerville all belong to the Minuteman Library Network.

Are you looking for a luxury condo near the T? Look no further than 100 Station Landing in Medford MA 02155. This 127-unit, 12-story condo building, the Skyline Condos at Station Landing, was built in 2007. Near the banks of the Mystic River the Station Landing condos are in the heart of one of Greater Boston’s newest neighborhoods. You’ll love the sleekly styled condos, the fun and convenience just outside your door, and the easy access to Boston, the airport and commuting routes.

In 2012, one-bedroom /one-bath Station Landing condos sold for $344,000 to $375,000. Two-bedroom condos with two baths sold for $470,000 to $635,000 in 2012.

Features of Condos at 100 Station Landing Medford MA

Central air conditioning

Marble baths

In-unit laundry

Garage parking

Walk-in closet

Balcony

Granite / stainless kitchen with cherry or white cabinets

Most units are one or two bedrooms with one or two baths

Most condos are 744 to 1291 sq.ft. with several larger penthouses

Several larger penthouses range from 1455 to 1578 sq.ft.

Some have river views

The condominum documents state that condo owners may have two cats and / or one dog. The condo fee includes heat and hot water. The building is professionally managed.

100 Station Landing Medford MA Amenities

Elevator

Concierge

Game room

Clubroom with fireplace

Fitness center

100 Station Landing Medford MA 02155

100 Station Landing is adjacent to the Wellington T stop – just three stops to North Station in Boston. The 20-acre site includes the condo building, apartments, office space, restaurants, shops, and plenty of parking. The adjacent waterfront park has walking paths, a bike path, boat launch and marina.

Station Landing Establishments

Boston Sports Club

Not Your Average Joe’s

Starbucks

Cold Stone Creamery

Five Guys Burgers and Fries

Yoki Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar

Regina Pizzeria

Qdoba Mexican Grill

If condos are available at 100 Station Landing Medford MA 02155 they will appear below. Click on the small photos for more info and additional photographs. If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment to see a condo at Station Landing, give me a call at 617-504-1737 or email me at [email protected]. Liz Bolton, ReMax Destiny.

In October, after 12 years at 171 Huron Ave – first at DeWolfe and then Coldwell Banker – I moved across Cambridge to ReMax Destiny.

I’m thrilled by the move – and now that I’ve finally unpacked I thought I’d introduce you to my new office.

Over the years many of my favorite agents had moved to ReMax and I’m delighted to join them. Coincidentally, all four of us in my room were formerly at DeWolfe. The admin and marketing staff at ReMax Destiny is top notch and such a pleasure to work with. The office has all the real estate bases covered with a property management division, commercial real estate agents, a super rental department, and close to 50 residential real estate agents.

My new office address is 907 Massachusetts Ave. It’s a very different feel than Huron Ave with lots of foot traffic well into the evening and easy access to the Red Line at Central or Harvard. The convenience of being just down the street from City Hall and the post office can’t be beat and I love walking around Mid-Cambridge when I leave the office. I’ve yet to find a nearby place for a slice of pizza (where’s my new Armando’s?) but there are plenty of restaurants to explore. Come join me for lunch when you’re in the neighborhood!

Before I packed up I made sure to photograph my old desk:

This was my desk at Coldwell Banker

And here’s my new space. It’s really sweet – you can’t see the wide board floors or the wall of windows overlooking Hancock Street and Mass Ave.

My new desk at ReMax Destiny

If you’re in the neighborhood stop by ReMax at 907 Mass Ave and say hi!

This bitingly cold weather is one more reminder to pay close attention to your heating system. If you have steam heat you may need to add water to the boiler (and yes – it’s a boiler, not a furnace, if your heating system uses water).

During our last cold snap I spent two hours in an unheated foreclosure. It took me all day to thaw. The first thing I did when I left that frigid house was to return to mine to check on my boiler.

I love steam heat. I had it in my first house and it’s in my current house too. Neither boiler had an automatic feed so it’s up to me to make sure the water level is sufficient. You would think I would know how to add water to a steam boiler by now.

But when I arrived home that day I wasn’t sure. Could I add water to the boiler if the heat was on? Would it hurt the boiler if I added water when it was hot? Could I break the furnace?

Turns out when adding water to a steam boiler you want to turn off the heat and let the boiler cool. Adding cold water to a hot boiler can crack the boiler – which will then require replacement – or worse, according to at least one article I read, cause the boiler to explode – eek!

Best practice I guess is to not wait until the coldest day of the week to check the water level in your steam boiler. And if you want more help with your steam heating system the very best resource is Dan Holohan’s The Lost Art of Steam Heating – it’s really the bible for homeowners with steam heat.